thornycroft



FEPEWU? 1. 68 75 J. E. AND T. THORNYCROFT.

BOAT FOR DISCHARGING EXPLOSIVE BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. H. ISIS- 1.,368,075. Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l. E. AND T. THORNYCROFT.

'BOAT FOR DESCHARGING EXPLOSIVE BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. ll. l 9l9.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w m m J. E. AND T. THORNYCROFT.

BOAT FOR DISCHARGING EXPLOSIVE BODIES.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. H. l9l9.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. E. AND T. THORNYCROFT.

'BOAT FOR DiSCHARGlNG EXPLO SIVE BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. n. 1919.

1,368,075. Patented Feb. 8,1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.'

BOAT FOR DISCHARGING- EXPLOSIVE BODIES.

Application filed September 11, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Sir JOHN EDWARD THoRNYoRoFr and Ton THonNYcRor'r, subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing, respectively, at the city of Westminster, England, have invented Improvements in or Relating to Boats'for Discharging Explosive Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in boats of different kinds but more particularly those of the high speed type known as motor boats, skimmers or chasers, used in naval warfare, and wherein such a boat is so constructed that bodies of various kinds, including for example mines, torpedoes and so forth (hereinafter referred to as mines) which it is desired to discharge over the stern of the boat into the sea or other waterway, can be easily, quickly and conveniently lowered into it from above, readily housed or stored therein until requiredfor use and, when required, can be easily, quickly and conveniently discharged from it into the sea or other waterway.

For these purposes the after portion of such a boat, more particularly one of the high speed type hereinbefore referred to, and hereinafter referred to as a boat, is provided below the normal deck level but above the sea level, with a long centrally arranged open channel or trough-like structure that is built into and forms part of the structure of the boat and extends to the stern thereof and is open at its rear end as described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 1,320,661.

As it is necessary, in order to provide such a trough-like structure, to dispense with deck beams along the portion of the boat occupied by the trough, it is necessary to utilize the trough-like structure and its supporting means to afford suflicient structural strength to the boat to prevent this portion of the boat opening out or closingin.

Now the present invention has reference inter (Ilia to improvements in the construction of boats or vessels of the kind referred to, (hereinafter referred to as boats), de signed to enable the necessary strength to be obtained in an advantageous manner.

For this purpose the trough-like structure (hereinafter called the trough), comprising opposite longitudinal side members and a bottom member, is supported vertically and laterally by means that extend upward from Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Serial No. 323,215.

the bottom of the boat and support the bottom and sides of the trough and comprises one or more transverse beams that extends under and assists in supporting the trough and connects the opposite sides of the boat together.

The invention also relates to improved means for holding mines in and releasing them from a trough of the kind referred to.

In the accompanying illustrative drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show respectively in central longitudinal section and plan and Fig. 3 in cross section, part of a boat of the kind referred to constructed according to the invention and provided with mine h0lding and releasing means. Figs. 4t and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and plan showing part of a modified construction of the boat. Figs. 6 and 7 are cross sections corresponding to the lines A A and B B respectively of Fig. l. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views at right angles to one another.

According to the example shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a and b are the longitudinal side members and c the bottom of a trough of the kind mentioned suitable for the purpose set forth, arranged centrally in the after portion of a boat (Z of the type referred to and supported vertically and laterally by means comprising longitudinal and transverse supporting means.

The longitudinal supporting means for the trough comprise inner built up vertical frames A and outer built up vertical frames B, each frame comprising vertical members 6 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and connected together by diagonal members 7', each vertical member being recessed at its upper end, as at g, to form a housing and seat for a transverse deck beam h which extends across and is supported by a transverse set of the vertical members 0 in the several vertical frames. Conveniently, there may, as in the example shown, be two centrally arranged vertical frames, constructed as described and marked A in Fig. 3, spaced a short distance apart by intermediate lower and upper longitudinal members i and j respectively, the lower ends of the two frames and lower spacing member z' being supported upon a centrally arranged longitudinal member 70. Also, there may conveniently be two outer vertical frames B each arranged between one of the central frames A and the outer edges 0 of the bottom 0 of the trough. The lower end of each of these frames B rests on the bottom of the boat and is connected to an adjacent longitudinal member m, secured thereto. In this case, each transverse beam it will be supported between its ends by four vertical members 6 of the four frames A and B. The upper ends of the frames B are connected to other longitudinal members a arranged between the beams h and the bottom 0 of the trough. The upper longitudinal member to which the central frames A are connected, is also arranged between the beams and the bottom of the trough. The side members a and b of the trough are carried by the beams h and are connected at their lower ends to adjacent longitudinal members 0 arranged between the beams and the bottom of the trough. The longitudinal members i, j, 70, m, n, and 0 are secured in place to prevent lateral displacement thereof. The opposite ends of the beams h are secured by longitudinal members h to the opposite sides of the boat so as to hold the latter firmly in position and prevent them opening out or closing in. The trough is also supported, at intervals of its length. by pairs of vertical transversely arranged members 5, in the form of plates or gussets that extend upward from the bottom of the boat (Z, are fitted against the side members a and Z) of the trough and to the outer longitudinal vertical frame B and which are made of the step shape shown so that portions thereof extend transversely under and support the lateral side portions of the trough adj acent to the transverse beams It to which they may be secured.

The upper ends of the side members a and b of the trough are connected to longitudinal members 29 and to the deck or cover plates 1 which may, as shown, be of convex shape. The upper ends of the transverse plates or gussets, .9 may, as shown, be recessed and carry longitudinal supporting members t for the deck or cover plates r. The transverse beams h and the longitudinal supporting members A and B may'be of wood. In the modified construction shown in "Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, the trough is supported mainly by a number of transversely arranged pairs of inclined outer members 5'' resembling vertical beams, that rest on the bottom of the boat, bear against lower longitudinal members m thereon, take under and support the side portions 0 of the the supporting members 8. The several palrs of supporting members 3' may advantageously be inclined to one another, as shown in Fig. 4. s is another pair of supporting members extending upwardly from the bottom of the boat and arranged to bear against the lower longitudinal members 972, and against the opposite sides a and Z) of the trough. They are connected together laterally by a bolt 8 and nuts 8 like each pair of supporting members 3. 7L2 is a transverse beam arranged below and supporting the longitudinal members 0 and the side walls a and Z) of the trough and connected at its ends to the opposite side portions of the boat by the aid of longitudinal members h 7), p are longitudinal members or stringers connected to the upper end portions of the side walls a and b of the trough through the intervention of the supporting members 8' and packing pieces 8 at the forward end of the trough (Fig. 7), and through fore and aft filling pieces 8 (Fig. 6) at other parts of the trough. The latter filling pieces are arranged between the upper ends of the supporting members 8 and to them and the stringers p are secured the upper end portions of the transverse frames 3 to which the deck, side and bottom plates d of the boat (Z are secured. In this example, the side walls of the trough are shown provided on their inner sides with longitudinal ways or supports for a torpedo.

A boat constructed with a trough supported as described, is specially adapted as shown for carrying and discharging mines u and their launching cradles or carriers 0, or torpedoes.

For this purpose, as the trough is open at the top, mines a with their launching cradles or carriers 0, can be lowered easily and conveniently into it from above ready for use.

To admit of the mines with their cradles housed in the trough, being easily, quickly and conveniently discharged into the sea, when required, the trough is provided with rails or ways w that may be inclined in a. downward and outward direction toward the outer end of the rough so that the mines an be readily discharged one at a time, by gravity. The rails or ways may be arranged on the bottom of the trough, which may also be inclined downward and outward, as shown, but they may be otherwise arranged in the trough to suit other kinds of explosive bodies to be discharged.

, In order that each mine a with its cradle o shall be discharged clear of the stern of the boat, the rails or ways w may be extended to a suitable distance beyond the stern of the boat as shown.

Suitable means are associated with the trough for retaining the mines u with their cradles 'v in position in the trough ready to be discharged and for releasing them one at a time when required.

Thus, for holding each mine cradle o in position, in the trough, there is provided a cross bar or beaml that extends across the trough in the path of the cradle and is held at its ends by suitable retaining means associated with which are means whereby the cross bar can be held in its operaitve position and, when desired, released separately and allowed to be moved into an inoperative position by the cradle and mine which then commence to move downward under the action of gravity and discharge themselves over the rear ends of the rails or ways. F or retaining the cross bar in position, there is provided according to the arrangement shown, at one side of the trough, a stop or abutment 2 (Fig. against which one end of the cross bar 1 bears. At the opposite side of the trough there is arranged a short horizontal spindle 3 (Figs. 8 and 9) mounted in stationary bearings a and provided with a centrally arranged upwardly extending lever arm 5 and at one end with a rearwardly extending hand lever 6 adapted to be held in its operative position, as for instance by a pin 7 passed through it, and a holding device 8, such as a slotted block, secured to the deck of the boat. The corresponding end of the cross bar 1 is provided with means, such for example as a metal loop or link 9, that is adapted to be engaged with the up wardly extending lever arm 5, which may be of curved shape. The arrangement is such that upon disengaging the hand lever 6 from the holding device 8 and raising it, the upwardly extending lever arm 5 will be lowered and disengaged from the loop or link 9 on the cross bar 1 which is then free and will be moved into its inoperative position by the corresponding mine cradle '12, which, with its mine a, will commence to run down the trough and ultimately fall over the rear ends of the rails or ways '10. The steps or abutments and releasing means for adjacent cross bars may, as shown, be reversely arranged at the sides of the trough so that the cross bars 1 shall not foul one another when moved into their open or inoperative positions.

What we claim is 1. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, and an openwork structure comprising vertical, longitudinal and transverse members arranged to support and hold the sides and bottom of the trough in position between them and to connect the bottom, sides and deck portions of the part of the hull in which the trough is located.

2. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the lower side of the trough, upwardly extending members connected to the bottom of the hull and arranged to support the trough from bclou and a horizontal transverse member connecting opposite side portions of the hull above the bottom of the hull and extending under and adapted to support said longitudinal members.

3. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising, in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough, vertical members connected to the bottom of the hull and having off-set portions extending under opposite side portions of the bottom of the trough and to support such side portions from below, and a horizontal transverse member connecting opposite side portions of the hull at points above the bottom of the hull and extending under and adapted to support said longitudinal members.

Jr. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising, in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough, upwardly extending members embracing the sides of the trough and opposite portions of the lower side of the trough and connected to the bottom of the hull and to the deck portions of the hull adjacent to the trough and a horizontal transverse member connecting opposite side portions of the hull above the bottom of the hull and extending under and adapted to support said longitudinal members.

5. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising, in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough, vertical longitudinal openwork built up members connected to the bottom of the hull and adapted to support the first mentioned longitudinal members and the side of the tions of the hull above the bottom of the hull and extending under and adapted to support said longitudinal member.

6. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising, in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of and in the after portion of said hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough, vertical longitudinal openwork built up members connected to the bottom, and to the deck portions of the hull adjacent to the trough and adapted to support the first mentioned longitudinal members and also the sides of the trough from below and also to embrace the opposite sides of the trough and a horizontal transverse member connecting opposite side portions of the hull above the bottom of the hull.

'7. A boat according to claim 6, wherein struts are arranged between the longitudinal members below the bottom of the trough and ties are arranged to hold the vertical longitudinal members in position against the opposite sides of the trough.

8. A boat of the kind herein referred to, suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising, in combination, a hull, a trough of rectangular cross section arranged centrally of andin the after portion of said-hull and open at the top and at the rear end, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough, vertical longitudinal openwork built up frames connected to the bottom and to the deck portions of the hull adjacent to the trough and adapted to support the sides of the trough both laterally and vertically, tie bolts connecting the said frames together below the trough, apair of supporting members extending upwardly from the bottom of the hull and arranged to act laterally against the opposite sides of the trough at part thereof in front of said frames, tie bolts connecting said mentioned supporting members together below the trough and a horizontal transverse member connecting opposite side portions of the hull above the bottom of the hull and extending under and adapted to support the forward end portions of said longitudinal members.

9. A boat of the kind herein referred to suitable for the purpose set forth comprising in combination a hull'composed of a number of transverse frames spaced apart longitudinally, deck, side and bottom plates secured to said frames, longitudinal stringers connecting the upper portions of said frames, a trough arranged centrally in the after portion of the hull between the upper ends of the transverse frames, said trough being open at the top and at the rear end, lateral longitudinal members attached to opposite sides of the hull, bottom longitudinal members attached to the bottom of the hull at opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, longitudinal members arranged below and adapted to support the bottom of the trough the rear ends of such members being carried by the stern portion of the hull, struts between said last named longitudinal members, vertical frames connected to the lower longitudinal members and to the deck portions of the hull adjacent to the trough and arranged to embrace the trough, two tie bolts connecting said frames together below the trough and a transverse horizontal member connected to the lateral longitudinal members attached to the hull and arranged to extend below and support the forward end portions of the longitudinal members.

10. A boat of the kind herein referred to suitable for the purposes set forth, comprising in combination a hull, a trough arranged centrally in the after portion of the hull and open at the top and rear end, an openwork structure embracing and supporting said trough and connected to said hull, inclined longitudinal ways in said trough for supporting an explosive body in said trough and for guiding such body during launching thereof, a bar extending transversely across the top of the trough, means for holding said bar in position to hold said body in the trough and means for releasing said bar to enable the body to then descend by gravity and be launched from the rear end of the trough.

11. A boat of the kind herein referred to suitable for the purposes set forth comprising in combination, a hull, a trough arranged centrally in the after portion of the hull and open at the top and rear end, an openwork structure embracing and supporting said trough and connected to said hull, inclined longitudinal ways in said trough for supporting an explosive body in said trough and for guiding such body during launching thereof, a plurality of bars eX- tending transversely across the top of the trough, means for supporting said bars in position. to hold said body in the trough and means for releasing said bar to enable the body to then descend by gravity and be launched from the rear end of the trough, said holding means being adapted to admit of adjacent bars turning laterally in opposite directions when released.

Signed at London, England, this twentyfirst day of August, 1919.

JOHN EDWARD rnoaarcaorr, roivi 'rnoaarcaorr, 

